Moving to Ireland from Moldova

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Moldova to Ireland? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Moldova to Ireland, you would find that Ireland is 2.7 times more expensive than Moldova overall. A MDL1,319,485 salary in Moldova would need to be roughly €125,346 in Ireland to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in English and Irish. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.

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How Far Will Your Money Go?

A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between Moldova and Ireland.

What does your salary buy?

MDL1,319,485 €125,346

To maintain the same standard of living in Ireland

Calculate with your salary →

How key spending categories compare

Restaurants

pay 2.4 times more

Groceries

pay 2.2 times more

Transportation

pay 3.9 times more

Housing

pay 3.6 times more

Childcare

pay 2.3 times more

Entertainment and Sports

pay 3.4 times more

See full cost of living breakdown
Exchange rate: 1 MDL = 0.0498 EUR (July 2026)

Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Moldova to Ireland.

Living there in 2020
4,340 ↑ 15% vs 2015

people born in Moldova live in Ireland · UN DESA

Who's moving to Ireland?

Top countries of origin for Ireland's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Ireland compared to Moldova.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

MD
2.3
IE
0.9
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

MD
9.1
IE
2.8

Ireland performs significantly better than Moldova across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

MD
$1,181
IE
$8,772
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

MD
32.5
IE
40.6

Ireland generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Moldova leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

MD
58.0
IE
13.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

MD
3.4t
IE
6.0t

Moldova generally does better on environment, though Ireland leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

MD
24.4
IE
32.1
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

MD
12.6%
IE
22.2%

Ireland generally does better on infrastructure, though Moldova leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

MD
1.6%
IE
4.3%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

MD
$15,700
IE
$115,600

Moldova generally does better on employment & economy, though Ireland leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

MD
72.4 yrs
IE
81.7 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

MD
11.6
IE
3.5

Ireland generally does better on family life, though Moldova leads in education spending.

Data: State tax Service, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Moldova and Ireland. To live, work, or study long-term in Ireland, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Ireland's immigration authority.

Moldova passport

Moldova passport holder visiting Ireland

Visa Required
Moldova passport holders need a visa to enter Ireland.
Ireland passport

Ireland passport holder visiting Moldova

Visa Free
Ireland passport holders can enter Moldova without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Ireland than Moldova?

On average Ireland is around 91% pricier than Moldova, with notable variation by city.

How much money do I need to move to Ireland?

Budget about €31,336 for 3 months in Ireland (based on a MDL1,319,485 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees.

Can I work remotely from Ireland?

Connectivity is usually fine (Ireland: 32.1 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Ireland offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Ireland safe for expats?

Ireland performs significantly better than Moldova across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Ireland is 0.9 per 100,000 people, compared to 2.3 in Moldova.

How is healthcare in Ireland compared to Moldova?

Ireland generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Moldova leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 40.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Ireland, compared to 32.5 in Moldova. Ireland scores 83 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Moldova: 71).

What language do they speak in Ireland?

The official languages in Ireland are English and Irish. In Moldova, the official language is Romanian.

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At a Glance

MD IE
Population 3,287,326 5,275,004
Currency Moldovan Leu (MDL) Euro (€)
Languages Romanian English, Irish
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +373 +353
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112 112